Safety tips for girls on move

SMITA KUMAR

Girls are being advised to remain alert while accepting friend requests on social networking sites lest their security gets at stake.

Police are organising workshops in the state’s schools and colleges to train and equip them with such tips and more. Such workshops have been organised at Magadh Mahila College, Darbhanga and Rohtas since last year.

Sources said similar sessions would be organised in Patna soon, but the date and venue have not yet been fixed .

Arvind Pandey, inspector-general (weaker section), said: “The in-charge of women’s police station would conduct the workshops in the different institutions. The idea is not to make girls superwomen but arm them with tips on how to prevent certain situations that would affect their security.”

The girls would be explained ways to protect themselves, Pandey added.

For instance, before hiring an autorickshaw in the evening, officers said, girls should take a vehicle which already has women passengers. They should also note down the vehicle’s registration number and send it to a family member or friend.

Pandey added: “School and college students would be told about the kinds of precaution they can take. They should ensure their cellphones are not cloned and remain alert about friends not misusing mobiles with multimedia features. If they are being followed, they can take help of security guards manning ATMs.”